There seem to be songs far and few between that can get a little steamy around the edges these days. On its own, Stalking Gia’s “Second Nature” is already sultry ‘n sexy with a teasing vocal and a funky bassline. Sean Turk’s remix flashes forward a few times with a seductive drop that will help you get that groove on either in early evening or very late at night. So you’re all covered, from the bedroom to the club and back again, in your pajamas or decked out to the nine’s 🙂 Sean’s work has proven to be varied and adventurous – perspective is everything these days in dance music. So this remix of “Second Nature” is an inspired pairing of performer and remixer who have the same thing in mind, just different ways to get there. And you can find out yourself by downloading it for free at the above link!
Greek producer/remixer/DJ Aero Chord returns with something unexpected and totally on point instrumental called “The 90’s”. He takes several futuristic twists and somehow marries it to some melodies that will definitely make you recall the last decade of the last century, and the one that keeps popping into my head is “Nightmare” by Brainbug, which was all over clubs in the last part of that decade. So be prepared to slide back and forthfrom slick ’16 rhythms to retro techno and europop. “The 90’s” is worth the trip back in time through your stereo speakers. Listen at the link above.
British producer/DJ/remixer Fox Stevenson offers up a trippy dubstep instrumental called “Rocket” after making headway in the biz these last four years or so. And yes it’s a perfect soundscape for anything up in outer space. It has a deceptive lead up which bursts just before the minute mark, and then some right crazy melodies and a wash of synths leap out to render you helpless. So with “Rocket” you’re on one heckuva musical carnival ride that you’ll enjoy visiting over and over. Be sure to check it out at the link above.
Everyone is in the mood to reminisce at some point and Cosmos & Creature give you the springboard with their debut original “Young” from their upcoming release. Nary a week goes by it seems that I don’t write about something by the prolific Brandyn Burnette and Molly Moore, but this is their side project to showcase and express their multidimensional talents. Cosmos & Creature have already had notable success as featured artists in dance/EDM tracks by Vicetone (“Bright Side”, still my favourite so far), Lost Kings, and Sweekuh. “Young” is a straight-forward alternative pop song that is quite radio-friendly. The great thing with Cosmos & Creature is that all of Brandyn and Molly’s superb harmonies, creative production, and joint ideas now have the perfect outlet, ably supporting each’s very different solo releases. Listen to “Young” at the link above.
The more I hear Molly Moore’s original songs, the more I resonate with them, even if I haven’t exactly faced the same situation, it’s all about the perspective. Moving to a big city across the country is always a risk for what you leave behind, even in these days of social media where around the world can seem like next door. But it’s real contact that we still all crave, and “Imaginary Friends” portrays the quiet and isolation and inner fighting that can occur. A lot of the time it’s only temporary but it’s very real and like the other songs Molly’s previewed from her upcoming EP Now You See Me – I can’t get enough of “Just A Dream” right now – “Imaginary Friends” is a solid alternative electronic pop package created with by an ensemble including beau/co-writer/co-producer Brandyn Burnette. “Imaginary Friends” lets your empathy cut through the sunny surroundings to reveal what’s inside.
NYC’s Mickey Valen really mixes it up well for his latest release “Meet Me” featuring a seductive vocal by singer Noé. What I like best about this one is the funky R&B/hip hop vibe – play it along side anything recent by Jenaux – that prevails throughout with some trippy trappy drops for those who enjoy. It gets a little busy for me in that regard and to me there’s so much else that’s appealing going on in the rest of the song that the drops aren’t the focus. “Meet Me” is a touch different which will only draw the best kind of attention so club DJ’s should be wise to give it some spin time. Do check it out at the above link.
There’s a new #1, five debuts, and plenty of movement, so lots to write about in this 492nd edition of the BILLCS Top 30 🙂
The Top 10
It should be no surprise that “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey is the new #1 after I’ve been singing its praises since its release on July 29. No mean feat either knocking “Shy” by The Magician and Brayton Bowman out of the top spot. I’m not sure how long “Closer” will endure at #1 given the fantastic mix of songs heading upward but it’s the first topper for the duo of Alex and Drew who have had triumphs unlike any other EDM performers in 2016 while staying true to their roots.
One of the songs challenging “Closer” moves up 5-2 and that’s the Jenaux remix of “Native Son Prequel” by Gramatik featuring Leo Napier. This song has an amazing ‘wow, cool!’ factor about it like no other song on the chart, and it may yet get to #1.
It became his first American Top 10 song as a lead performer and deservedly so for Charlie Puth, who with Selena Gomez, have “We Don’t Talk Anymore” riding the Top 10 wave here too, moving 10-7.
Atlanta’s sweet-voiced Victor Perry climbs 13-8 with his independent release “Rainbows”, very deserving of your attention from his EP 4 A.M. Nostalgia. An official remix surfaced this past week by L.A.’s The Wookie…. and I had a little something to do with it 🙂 Download it for free above.
The second new entry to the Top 10 is also the Fastest Riser on the chart. MAX (Schneider) gets his third Top 10 entry this year as the Two Friends remix of “Lights Down Low” soars 19-9.
Movin’ On Up
Jenaux is back this time with co-billing as lead artist with Tritonal for “Broken” featuring none other than Adam Lambert, which leaps 18-12.
Right behind is Norway’s Matoma with UK singer Becky Hill for “False Alarm”, now a UK Top 40 hit, which moves 20-13.
Toronto’s Chet Porter has a winning EDM ballad with “Stay” featuring Chelsea Cutler, and it rises 24-16.
It’s taken a while on North American shores, but Martin Garrix finally has his follow up radio hit to 2013’s “Animals” with the powerful “In The Name Of Love” featuring Bebe Rexha on vocals. It jumps 25-18.
Sean Turk’s funky remix interpretation of Brandyn Burnette’s fine “Closer” from the EP State I’m In is in the mix rising 26-19.
RKCB’s in fine form not only on their own “Elevated” at #14, but as featured vocalists in Steve James’ great dance track “In My Head”, which climbs 28-20.
Those Five Debuts!
Rihanna doesn’t need help from my blog but she gets her 10th chart entry and first since 2010’s “S&M” with the amazing “Love On The Brain”. And what convinced me was her outstanding performance of it on the MTV awards, which despite weaker performances that night was the real deal. It arrives at #21.
New to the chart at #22 is the second entry from Norway. I think 19 year old Jesper Jenset has a potential international hit on his hands with “High”, and in the remix hands of Canadian duo Young Bombs (who got to #1 here a few months ago with their take on Connor Phillips’ “Lost”) then clubs will come-a-calling.
I glowed about the debut album Double Life by NYC trio Liquid Diet recently, and before that about their intriguing video (above) for “Luminary”. The retro Europop-influenced dance track arrives at #24.
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying Bright Light Bright Light’s third album Choreography since its release in July but have been holding off adding any of its songs to the chart till now. One of the most engaging and memorable songs within is his collaboration with Scissor Sisters’ Ana Matronic on “I Only Want To Please You”, which premieres at #26. It’s Rod Thomas’ 15th appearance on my chart as a lead act, plus one as a featured vocalist 🙂
The final debut on the chart is the intense alternative EDM belonging to Molly Moore with “Just A Dream” from her upcoming EP Now U See Me at #27. It’s an amazing vocal collaboration with her beau Brandyn Burnette, whose low octave here is in perfect contrast and support of Molly’s exquisite lead.
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify: BILLCS Top 30 Songs
Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST onhttp://www.planetradio.ca most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear Tuesday evenings at 9pm EST
I wouldn’t be writing about a remix of a song by Frank Ocean – especially one from his smash Blonde album – whose music now courts emotional debates and undying loyalty, unless I thought fans would dig it. A few weeks after we got to know Miami-based producer/remixer Vasta through a slick reinterpretation of T-Pain’s “I’m Sprung” comes this valiant, careful retooling of “White Ferrari”. What was important to retain was the minimalist ambiance of the original, while of course adding to it. Like too much salt will ruin an entire pot of broth, too much bass or overburdening this deep house remix with more synths could have played havoc here. But instead this mix is both chilled out and taut, with slight clever synths and bass that knows when it needs to stand up and be counted. Frank Ocean fans will love hearing this in a club setting as his music would otherwise be disconnected from that scene. Vasta is in a reinvention process, and has much more to come in the next few months including collaborations with – wait for it – Todd Terry and Armand van Helden 😀 Download “White Ferrari” for free at the link above.
Musically, “Keep Yourself Away” by Florida-based French producer Egzod is a last gasp of fun at the beach for the summer, a fast-paced trap-lite song with a few well-placed breaks and some zingy effects to keep your attention. The vocals by fellow Floridian singer Caiti Patton seem very 80’s influenced and remind me at times either of Chrissie Hynde or of Katrina Leskanich of Katrina & The Waves. Lyrics-wise, it’s a strange duck of a song – what is it that she’s singing about? No matter, there’s huge quality over question marks here and overall it’s a breath of fresh air from a lot of droning EDM out there. I think “Keep Yourself Away” could benefit from some equally creative remixes. This is also a welcome debut for the Epicure label. Show it some love and download it for free at the link above.
It’s STILL summer folks and there’s plenty of great dance music driving us through till Fall in a few weeks 🙂
The Top 10
“Shy” by The Magician featuring Brayton Bowman stays on top for a second appearance, and if not for #2 it might have a longer reign at #1…
Despite all of the very good remixes and covers I’ve heard, I still love the original and “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Halsey advances 7-2. The song now credits two members of The Fray as co-writers due to similarities between “Closer” and the group’s 2006 hit “Over My Head (Cable Car)”. That song was also a BILLCS Top 30 #1 back in the day… I really can only hear them slightly after it was brought to my attention, but better to settle now than years later. The Chainsmokers meanwhile are working on their album, but I don’t think we’ll see it till 2017.
Just crank ’em up in the car: “Her And Him” (ab0ve) by Mi Disguise x Rouse climbs 4-3; and below, Electric Bodega & Matt Beilis’ “Rest Of My Life” jumps 8-4; and the funky Jenaux remix of Gramatik & Leo Spence’s “Native Son Prequel” leaps 10-5.
One of the best deep house songs around for clubs is deserving of some extended remixes. It’s the all-too-brief “Balance” by The Him featuring Oktavian, which soars 15-8. This one is also pop radio-ready!
The fastest riser on the chart belongs to Charlie Puth and Selena Gomez with “We Don’t Talk Anymore”, which rockets 19-10. It’s also available in a fun new unofficial remix courtesy of L.A. producer The Wookie.
Movin’ On Up
Victor Perry’s gorgeous song about heartbreak “Rainbows” continues to climb 17-13. It’s from his EP 4 AM Nostalgia, and I still hear some remixes are coming 🙂
The Disco Fries’ rollicking “Born Ready”, featuring an intense vocal by Hope Murphy, moves up 18-14.
I still have money on this song breaking out even to radio, but definitely clubs and dance music radio should be all over “Broken” by Tritonal and Jenaux featuring Adam Lambert, which moves 23-18.
Moving 25-19 is a remix that is really a redux – transforming a beautiful ballad into a late night party anthem. Such is the case with Two Friends’ remix of “Lights Down Low” by MAX.
Right behind is what should be the North American breakout for Sweden’s Matoma featuring the UK’s Becky Hill on “False Alarm”, which climbs 26-20. It’s also now available in a super Steve Void remix 🙂
Debuts
Toronto’s Chet Porter really mixes it up with all of the subtleties and melodic changes in his new song “Stay”, featuring Chelsea Cutler on vocals. That makes it a song that stands out as a centrepiece in a set, and it arrives at #24.
Bebe Rexha’s vocal on “In The Name Of Love” grabs you with its intensity, and it helps make her pairing with 20 year old Martin Garrix something special. It bows at #25, and becomes Martin’s fourth chart entry here following two #1’s, “Animals” and “Proxy”, as well as the #3 collaboration “Gold Skies” with Sander van Doorn and DVBBS.
When Brandyn Burnette songs are on my chart, they multiply fast – so now it’s three, following #7 “Worship” and #15 “State I’m In”. Producer Sean Turk reimagined “Closer” in a crunchy EDM mix, and the result is even better than the original from the State I’m In EP. “Closer” debuts at #26 and the remix is a free download.
The fourth debut belongs to L.A. producer Steve James with “In My Head”, which features the slick ‘n soulful vocals of duo RKCB, who are also at #16 with the Joe Mason remix of “Elevated”. Besides those voices, there is a drop that slays every time and “In My Head” premieres at #28.
View the full BILLCS Top 30right here, and be sure to click on the photos to hear all of the songs.
Listen to the BILLCS Top 30 Songs on Spotify! Click on this link to take you there, and follow me on Spotify:BILLCS Top 30 Songs
http://www.planetradio.cais back! Listen for my Pick of the Week at 2:20/6:20/10:20 AM/PM EST most days Monday through Sunday, and my flashbacks to a Toronto Top 10 of yesteryear return this Tuesday evening at 9pm EST
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